Chinese Citizen Journalist Zhang Zhan Jailed For Reporting On Early COVID-19 Outbreak In Wuhan

Chinese citizen journalist Zhang Zhan, who has been in detention for nearly seven months after reporting on the COVID-19 outbreak in Wuhan, went to court on Monday.

Zhan has been given a four year prison sentence for “picking quarrels and provoking trouble.” The trial only lasted a few hours and then a four year prison sentence handed out.

BBC Journalist reports, Zhang Zhan’s lawyers revealed she appeared devastated in court as the sentence was read out. Her mother reportedly also sobbed loudly. The 37-year old’s health is said to have been in decline following a hunger strike while in detention.

Police attempt to stop journalists from recording footage outside the Shanghai Pudong New District People’s Court, where Chinese citizen journalist Zhang Zhan – who reported on Wuhan’s Covid-19 outbreak and was placed under detention since May – was jailed for four years on Monday.